Spring skincare swaps to make now

As we start to peel off the 60 deniers and think about clearing out cupboards, now is the perfect time to spring clean our beauty products, too. The new, (hopefully) warmer season means greater focus on rehydrating the skin, upping the SPF and polishing the whole face with multitasking, glow-boosting moisturisers. These are the expert-approved skincare brands deserving of your precious shelf space.

The first step to magical-looking skin? Cleansing. As we’re outdoors more during the spring and summer months, you might want to swap in a foaming facial cleanser or balm – especially one that contains salicylic or glycolic acid – for a deliciously deep cleanse that keeps pores clear of excess sebum and dirt. ‘Our bestselling Elemis cleansing balm melts away make-up and impurities for a glowing complexion,’ says Sophia Osmond, John Lewis Partner and Beauty Buying Assistant. ‘It’s now available in a variety of aromas, including black cherry.’

When we begin to discard heavier layers of clothing, our skincare regime might want to follow suit as the need for richer, weightier creams reduces. You may not be quite ready for light gel formulas just yet, so in spring it’s a good idea to go for lighter versions of your favourites. ‘Charlotte Tilbury’s bestselling Magic Cream, for example, is an immediate skin reviver that re-texturises, plumps and primes,’ says Laurie Cilberto, John Lewis Partner and Senior Make-Up Buyer. ‘The brand’s Magic Water Cream is a lighter version, which is also clinically proven to help boost your skin barrier.’

If you’re not already wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on your face, add one in now and use it every morning – not just when it’s sunny – to protect your skin against UV rays. Olivia McMillan, John Lewis Partner and Beauty Discovery Junior Buyer, says: ‘Ultrasun SPF 50+ is the ultimate anti-ageing and anti-pigmentation treatment in one, offering high-level protection from UVA, UVB and Infrared-A. It helps to protect skin, and brighten existing pigmentation.’

Antioxidants are always a good idea, but especially in spring a time when UV exposure increases. If the change in temperature is making your skin unsettled or blemish-prone, add in salicylic acid – either in the form of a toner or an on-the-spot treatment. If post-winter dullness is an issue, look for products with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as lactic acid and glycolic acids. Otherwise, retinol remains the number-one ingredient most dermatologists recommend using all year round.

If you’re not quite ready to tan, try using a glow-giving balm or booster as a moisturising base. ‘Fan favourite REN’s Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA tonic helps exfoliate, brighten, tighten and hydrate to leave a glowy complexion,’ says Sophia. ‘While Guerlain’s cult serum – the result of 15 years’ research – harnesses the cutting edge of beauty tech for radiant spring skin.’

As we bound into springtime’s busier schedules, reach for the new generation of high-performing eye creams to brighten dark circles and de-puff tired eyes. Sophia recommends Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado: ‘This rich and creamy under-eye cream now contains caffeine and 75 per cent more Avocado Oil, leaving the delicate eye area feeling nourished and energised all day. Reapply at night and expect to wake the next day without dryness, puffiness or redness.’

As for the best products to spring clean a dull complexion, experts love these dead-cell-removing, pore-purging heroes. ‘Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant is a gentle exfoliator you can trust,’ say Olivia. ‘The rice-bran base helps brighten and smooth skin. For a super-hydrating first step in your routine, Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator shares the same blend of oils, waxes and aromatics as the best-selling Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.’